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Midtown Miami Walmart Zoning Ordinance Denied

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami’s Planning and Zoning Board delivered a set back to Walmart who is reportedly planning to submit a proposal to build a megastore in the Midtown district.

On Wednesday, board members unanimously voted against changing street access for service trucks along North Miami Avenue south of NE 34th Street. A requested change would have allowed Walmart to build a cargo bay entrance between NE 30th and NE 31st streets.

While Walmart has yet to submit plans for the necessary planning permits, company executives said they will do so by the end of the year.

Miami city planners said it was unusual that the city submitted the request for a change and not Walmart, indicating there was something going on being the amendment, according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald.

Nearly two hundred people packed the meeting, many voicing their concerns about letting the retail giant set up shop in the trendy Midtown district.

Those against the road change said it would create a dangerous environment for pedestrians along North Miami Avenue. They added that if Walmart does build a megastore downtown, it will drive out other businesses.